Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Lemon Honey Marmalade ~ A Homemaker's Musings

She stares intently at the four, large bags of free lemons. Ten years ago, they would have sat on her counter until they rotted (because at that point, she wouldn't feel as guilty throwing them away). Times have changed for her. She sees those gifted lemons as an opportunity. They can be used in different ways to bless her household. She loves the challenge. If she plans strategically, she will have less to purchase throughout the year. She is a home-economist, once upon a time...

She remembers making her last batch of lemon marmalade. The amount of sugar it required got her to thinking… Could she create a tasty preserve using honey instead? It was time to do some research and convert a recipe. She can be a scientist sometimes.

"...eat thou honey, because it is good…" ~ Proverbs 24:13a

She looks out the window. Little pug turns in a circle, trying to catch her tail. The lavender flower is the only burst of color on this chilly, winter day. As she carefully slices the zest, she marvels that she has the privilege to remain home and manage her own little kingdom! She feels like a queen sometimes.

She read in a diary entry that her favorite authoress (Elizabeth Prentiss) enjoyed marmalade. This made the whole idea of preparing it much more charming to her. She has a nostalgic heart. She can be so romantic sometimes.

"We spent yesterday at Hager brook with Mrs. Humphrey and her daughters; papa drove us over in the straw wagon and came for us about 6 P.M. We had lobster salad and marmalade, bread and butter and cake, and we roasted potatoes and corn, and the H.'s had a pie and things of that sort. When they saw the salad they set up such shouts of joy that papa came to see what was the matter. We had a nice time."

She removes the seeds and places them into a square piece of cheesecloth (or spice bag). Though bitter, any excess pith should be placed here as well. She learned that they are both high in pectin and will naturally thicken her marmalade. She is part chemist sometimes.

The house is filled with a wonderful, lemon scent. She had once read that the aromatherapy in citrus stimulates the brain and enhances moods. She loves to learn! She remembers a favorite quote. She is a student much of the time.

“I enjoy doing housework, ironing, washing, cooking, dishwashing. Whenever I get one of those questionaires and they ask what is your profession, I always put down housewife. It's an admirable profession, why apologize for it. You aren't stupid because you're a housewife. When you're stirring the jam you can read Shakespeare.”

As she tests the marmalade, she considers her depression-era ancestors. Thank God that they were still knowledgable in the homemaking skills when those hard times came. It enabled them to grow their own food and preserve it by using the arts of drying, fermenting, freezing and canning that their mothers had taught them. They were resourceful, hard working and intelligent. She desires to be like these Proverbs 31 women all of the time.

What a lovely accomplishment. She thinks it would be tasty inside a hot cup of tea. It will also be excellent in the summer to flavor a pitcher of iced tea. Some love marmalade with clotted cream and scones. She can be like a gourmet chef when given some time.

She remembers her creation of lemon labels from her last venture. They would also make nice gift tags if printed on card-stock and attached with twine. She smiles shyly, because in her own little way, she feels like an artist (some of the time).

As the day comes to an end, she is wondering who could use a bit of sunshine? She has captured some in a jar. She bundles up her marmalade in a "hat" and "scarf" because tomorrow, she will go visiting. She is a cheerful nurse oftentimes.

She is tired but feels great satisfaction. She knows the cost of running her household decreases daily because of her industry (she knows she contributes to the income in this way) and she is pleased that she has increased their pantry inventory. She loves the variety in the role that God has given especially to her. She is many interesting things because she is a "keeper at home" all of the time…

"She looketh well to the ways of her household,and eateth not the bread of idleness."

65 comments:

I was staring eight clementines last week that had to go... so I made clementine marmalade and I added some ground cloves, cinnamon and raisins to it ...OH my...we loved it so much I had to go and buy more and make a couple of batches....I also saw the grapefruit on sale so I bought those and I made grapefruit jalapeno marmalade which is delicious too......and I made some homemade bread to go with it all and boy time well spent...I will have to try your lemon too...it looks superb!

JES,Excellent writing! I have read your clever post over at least 3 times, maybe 4! It really is a delight, and there is a catchy-ness and poetic (new word?) to it that sits well on the ear. You make us want to think of new ways to 'look well to the ways of our households'.Thank you for inspiring us. I praise the Lord for the mix of exhortation and creativity He has placed in you, friend.

Hi there, because you are using the actual peel, it would be better but I am really not sure how much lemon trees get sprayed. We got ours from a neighbor who doesn't spray so we were fortunate. Hope this helps!

JES, you certainly have a way with words! I've never read a more romantic or accurate description of homemaking. LOVE it to pieces. Thank you for sharing all you do! We.love.marmalade, too. :)Have a lovely day!Toni

JES, this is the most beautifully and creatively thought-out and expressed tribute to the sacred privilege of homekeeping that I've ever read. Like a diamond, there are so many beautiful facets to this endeavor and you captured them so lovingly. I smiled when I read your comment that you were once a California girl since I was born, and have always lived, there. Kindred spirits, even if they have never met, appreciate these little "connections." :) Nancy D.

Oh Nancy! I was born and raised in Calif too! I have only been gone the last 5 years... Life has taken us on a journey. We used to have nice Meyer lemon trees there though! Thank you so much for the warmest comment! So glad you took the time to share today :)

Dear Erica, I did split my lemon marmalade making day in half before... One day I did all the slicing and prepared the fruit, etc. The next day I worked on cooking and processing the jam. With a nice cup of coffee I noticed the energy flows a bit better :) Thank you for commenting so kindly! :)

Jes, I think this is quite possibly my most favourite ever of your posts so far. The theme, the way it's written, the connection to the quotes....and of course The Marmalade...divine! I see that marmalade in little tart shells with meringue topping. Thanks for sharing at Five Star Frou--Frou. Love, Mimi xxx

Thank you for taking the time to comment so kindly! Unfortunately, I can not remember the yield and am sorry that I forgot to include that information :( Perhaps if you make it, you can let me know so I can include it... Perhaps it was about 7 half-pints but I really can't be sure?...

I made this recipe last week and wanted to follow up and say that it yielded approximately 94 ounces total. I added 2 Tablespoons of minced fresh ginger to the recipe. For some reason it didn't set up and is more like a glaze or sauce than marmalade. However, we found out that it makes a delicious marinade and glaze for roast duck! I think it would also be good on roast chicken, salmon, and pork. Perhaps drizzled on yogurt or vanilla ice cream... I made gelatin squares using 3/4 cup of it with 1 1/4 cups water and 3 tablespoons grass-fed gelatin. This recipe was a pleasure to make, and it smelled so good bubbling on the stove. Thank you for the inspiration! Amanda

Thank you Amanda! I am wondering if the preserves reached 220 degrees? That should give it a nice set... Anyways, it looks like you discovered some wonderful ways to use it! All your ideas sound excellent and I thank you for giving the yield! I also appreciate the kind feedback in general... Have a lovely week! :)

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Welcome! A little introduction… I am an old-fashioned, Bible-believing, wife to my "one and only" for 20 years, homeschooling mother, who embraces her role as "keeper at home". We live on a 25-acre prairie farm.For fun… my three main earthly weaknesses (in no particular order) are coffee, dark chocolate and hardcover books. What about you? My hope is that this blog will inspire you in the arts of homemaking, homeschooling and homesteading. Visit here for 10 random facts about me... Have a beautiful day! ~ JES

"The woman who makes a sweet, beautiful home, filling it with love and prayer and purity, is doing something better than anything else her hands could find to do beneath the skies. A true mother is one of the holiest secrets of home happiness. God sends many beautiful things to this world, many noble gifts; but no blessing is richer than that which He bestows in a mother who has learned love's lessons well, and has realized something of the meaning of her sacred calling."

"She (the godly wife and mother) is a mighty warrior queen who fights righteous battles at her husband's side and reigns with him over the home and domain God has given them as they work together for Christ's eternal Kingdom and glory."

"There is nothing in the daily routine of the family life that is unimportant. Indeed, it is ofttimes the things we think of as without influence that will be found to have made the deepest impression on the tender lives of the household." ~ Excerpt from The Family

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